Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-02-17
LADIES OF The ARMY.


4
Those wAu have read Mrs. Cnster's
entertaining book may recall that she
ehas occasion to comment upon the
ignorance of the majority of people in
civil life regarding army life on the
frontier, and this ignorance is possibly
even more conspicuous to-day. when
there is little to attract the attention to
our distant garrisOns, than at the active
period of which she writes.
In view Of the fact that the best
social circles of the East-from the
capital to the edge of the Territories
are constantly giving in marriage their
most accomplished daughters to preside
over these frontier homes it seems par
ticularly surprising that SO little should
be known of that same home life. That
the social amenities and graces should
penetrate and be in daily exercise be-
sond the line of railroad seems incrcdi-
BILE; and that dainty furnishings and
bric-a-brac should find a place within
the modest dwellings still more aston
ishing.
Let one imagine himself. or herself
Cor the girlish heart has ever weak
ness for brass buttons-after several
days journey, exchanging the comfort
able sleeper for stage or ambulance,
and starting forth, perhaps in foggy
1rizzle that chills the flesh in spite of
wraps and rugs. to ride many miles
over the prairies; stopping to dine at
ranch houses along the way. possibly
spending the night at one; and awaken
.ng for an early start finds the sun
shining with an intensity of heat al
most as disagreeable as the previous.
cold. Mile after mile of sage-brush and
endless climbing ''to the top of the
next rise" only to find still another
''rise'' just beyond. until at length the
traveller, disheartened, sunburnt, weary
and blinded by alkaline dust, is told
There is the post" and look
ing ahead, beholds group of
one-storied frame houses, barracks
along the open space in front. the
post traders lOw-roofed store, and a
few other buildings devoted to various
other purposes somewhere close by.
Add to this picture group of blanket
wrapped Indians, and then laugh to
scOrn him who asserts that in week S
time you will have discovered pc
culiar fascination in the surroundings
and a distinct charm in the sense of
freedom from all that is conventional,
bon camaraderie, and absence of all
care for the morrow. Many of the
homes, containing possibly but seven
Or eight rooms, and made comfortable
and pretty with handsome draperies,
rugs, pictures and ornaments; while
books and magazines litter the tables,
and almost invariably along one side
Of the parlor is a piano. Even the
bachelors as rule take great pride in
their quarters, and many are the pref
ty bits of fancy work that come to
them from lady friends to brighten
walls and furniture.
| Competent servants are procured
from the East, and both kitchen and
dining-room are well-ordered and WI IL
served. True, there may be 4 time IN
the year when in default of other meat
beef appears upon the board rather
more frequently than can be relished
but then the army housewives ingenu-
ity comes to the fore and such mystic
rious and toothsome dishes are con-
cocted as canned goods We're new
er known to suggest to communl-
ties which lie nearer markets. Then
the late breakfasts and five o clock dim
ners, for which some one is very apt to
lrop in, and the coy suppers with the
few particularly cOngenial friends.
And if any unusual luxury falls to the
lot of one the rest of that table
set are sure to come in for share
Of it, as Mrs. Custer relates of her
strawberries. At intervals some one
entertains with all the courses and
ceremony of a fashionable dinner OF
breakfast, and, though the chairs
which the guests sit upon may not all
be of a pattern, and the dainty pieces
IF china be supplemented by Others
which have seen long and faithful serv-
ice, it matters not; the flowers and
fruit are there, and, what is better, a
congenial company. And during that
maureise guatre dheure in which the
gentlemen are left to their cigars, and
the ladies hear of the latest cook who
is about to marry some sergeant and
desert her despairing mistress to set up
housekeeping in laundresses' row, the
hostess is quite likely to be compli-
I mented upon the success of her dinner,
while her next intimate friend whispers
that the plum-pudding glace was quite
the most delicious thing possible.
OF course, where improvidence has
left the purse strings open, or children
have come far more rapidly than pro-
motion, the homes are of necessity very
plain, luxury absent and the menage
very simple. But all alike enjoy the
long pleasant days, the friendly drop
ping in and out, the card parties, hops,